Salatul Eid al-Fitr

🌙

Prayer of the festival ending Ramadan

Salatul Eid al-Fitr

صَلَاةُ عِيدِ الْفِطْرِ

Time

After sunrise on the 1st of Shawwal, before Dhuhr (best time: ~15–20 minutes after sunrise).

Rak'ahs

2 rak'ahs in congregation, followed by a khutbah

Overview

A congregational prayer of joy and gratitude at the end of Ramadan, ideally offered in an open space (musallā).

Virtue

"It is a Sunnah Mu'akkadah (emphatic sunnah), and considered Wajib in the Hanafi school."

How to perform

1

Before Salatul Eid: pay Zakat al-Fitr, perform ghusl, wear your best clothes, apply perfume (men).

2

Eat an odd number of dates before leaving for the prayer (Sunnah specific to Eid al-Fitr).

3

On the way, quietly recite the Takbir: ‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, la ilaha illallah, wallahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil-hamd.’

4

No adhan and no iqamah for Eid.

5

Rak'ah 1: Takbiratul-Ihram, then the imam adds SEVEN extra takbirs (six for Hanafis). Then Fatiha + a surah (commonly al-A'la).

6

Rak'ah 2: After standing, the imam adds FIVE extra takbirs (five for Hanafis before ruku'). Then Fatiha + a surah (commonly al-Ghashiyah).

7

Complete the prayer with tashahhud and tasleem as normal.

8

Then listen attentively to the Eid khutbah — it is Sunnah to stay for it.

9

Take a different route home. Greet others with: ‘Taqabbal-Allahu minna wa minkum’ (May Allah accept from us and from you).

Notes

  • 💡 Zakat al-Fitr must be given BEFORE the prayer for it to count as Zakat al-Fitr.
  • 💡 Extra takbirs are said with hands raised each time.